I woke up to the noise of wooden katana, smashing into each other every few seconds. It seems like I fell asleep after crying too much yesterday.

I can't believe I broke down in front of people I met for the first time yesterday... and who knew they were hiding such a big secret that wasn't even written in history books?

I wasn't a history fanatic but I know how it goes and honestly, I'm not pleased with a sudden monster appearance.

"Should we wake her up?" I hear whispers coming from outside my room. I sat straight up and started grooming my hair with a comb while the shadows on my door screen debates. A small light shining on the ground gradually grew bigger as the door opens, revealing Heisuke and Shinpachi, the perverts that peeks on girls sleeping.

"Peeking on sleeping girls is not practised by any gentleman." I stood up calmly and glared at them.

"E-Eh? Erm... no, we were just trying to wake you up..." Heisuke was flustered for a second before returning to his meek approach.

"Do you need anything?" I asked while scanning through my bags, trying to find presentable clothes to wear.

"Breakfast's ready so come on." Shinpachi said quickly before walking away. I prepared myself by changing into a white chiffon top and a maroon mini skirt. I decided to put light brown contacts today.

When I enter the room full of man, the first reaction I got was a big sigh from Hijikata.

"Cover up a little... you're a girl!" He shook his head. Ignoring his comment, I went to sit beside Heisuke, since he seemed to be around my age. A perfect Japanese style breakfast was served in front of me.

"Oh, by the way, we still do not know your name." Kondou-san started asking me questions to lighten up the awkward atmosphere that was slowly over taking the room.

"Chris. My name is Chris. I'm currently a makeup artist but I have a lot of experience with other jobs too." I picked up the chopsticks and started grabbing the food in front of me.

"What's a makeup artist?" Heisuke asked while trying to steal Shinpachi's food.

"I help girls become pretty by applying makeup on them. Sort of like magic." I smirked when Heiskue failed terribly and was hit on the head, letting out a yelp.

"How old are you?" Souji asked while adding salt to his plain rice.

"18. I've completed my studies so in case you're thinking I'm skipping school to work, that's not the truth." They have a look of confusion on their face. I sighed and decided to summarize it.

"Maybe girls this period don't have much education but I'm not like them so don't you dare look down on me. I'm known for having a pretty face and a feisty attitude. Introduction done." I put my chopsticks down as I finish my meal.

"I see... you sure have a pretty face." Shinpachi eyed me. Oh please... isn't he like so much older than me?

"Shouldn't you introduce yourself?" I asked, showing little interest but since I was going to live here for a while, I can't just call them by the nicknames I gave them right?

"Why don't you tell us the nicknames you gave us? I've heard Hijikata-san's so I'm really curious about the others." Souji smirked mischievously.

"Alright, you asked for it, don't blame me." I started pointing at each and every one of them, saying out the nicknames I had for them.

"Kiddo (Heisuke), sarcasm guy (Souji), pretty man (Hijikata), muscle freak (Shinpachi), statue (Saito), dad (Kondou), snake (Sannan), Oji-san (Inoue), Mr. Punch-in-the-face (Harada)." All of them looked shocked before laughing at each other's nicknames.

"O-Oi! I'm the same age as you so why am I called kiddo?!" Heisuke looked a little bit mad.

"Must be because you're a shorty eh?" Shinpachi laughed heartily.

"Shut up you muscle freak!" They look like they were about to fight when Sano interfered.

"Calm down kiddo and muscle freak." Sano placed his palms in front of each of their faces, stopping them.

"Sano, don't think you are not part of this too Mr. Punch-in-the-face!" Shinpachi started attacking Sano verbally.

"But isn't Hijikata-san's, Sannan-san's and Saito-san's the worst?" Souji folded his arms and said. They recalled what I called them and laughed till they were rolling on the ground. Tears were coming out from their eyes and their entire face was red. But for the three victims, Hijikata was giving out a demonic aura, Sannan's spectacle shone a little and Saito has a little frown on his face. Now I know all of their names by listening to their funny conversation.

"Everyone quiet down." Hijikata glared at the four who was laughing.

"Do you mind explaining the reason for the nicknames?" Kondou-san asked curiously however, Hijikata looked exasperated and rolled his eyes upon hearing Kondou-san but didn't say anything.

"Well... does it matter? It's just a woman's opinion..." I tried to avoid the subject as I felt the murderous intent coming from Sannan-san.

"Come on Chris, go on. You won't die that easily anyway." Oh right, Kondou-san wouldn't allow it to happen.

"Here goes... Heisuke is short for his age and acts immature; Souji's mouth are full of sarcasm," 'and rubbish' which I added in my mind, "Hijikata-san has a really... pretty face, that can be on par with a geisha; Shinpachi is full of muscle and he apparently loves it to death; Saito-san is very quiet, like a statue with no presence; Kondou-san reminds me of my dad; Sannan-san has a kind of aura, a very cunning one behind that gentle smile of his, like a slippery snake before it spits venom at you; Inoue-san is very kind and reminds me of my actual uncle; Sano-san's nickname was created the moment his punch touches Heiskue's face." I finished and close my eyes, not wanting to see their expressions.

"You have a very good eye." When I heard Hijikata's praise, I looked up in shock. Did he just praised me after all the assumptions I made on them? All of the members seemed to agree while taking peeks at Sannan-san.

"D-did you woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?" Hijikata-san praising me is suddenly creepier than him scolding me. His cheeks was dyed red immediately. Everyone started laughing again after hearing my comment.

"Man, I like you girl!" Sano patted my shoulders as he laughs.

"I wonder what would she name Hijikata-san after discovering his poem book~"

"SOUJI!" Hijikata stood up, panicking. After seeing that, I started laughing along with them. I've seen some of the poem he wrote, it was horrible! But there was one which I liked, only one. They look at me in shock. When I noticed everyone's attention on me, I put on a serious face.

"W-what?"

"Your laughing face was damn cute! You should smile more often!" Heisuke said with a grin. I blushed hard after receiving the compliment. They smiled warmly in response to my blushing face.

"Alright, so back to main business." Hijikata cleared his throat before starting again.

"You will have to stay here. We cannot let you out of our sight since you know our secret." He stared straight into my eyes with a serious face.

"Okay, so what am I supposed to do here?" I agreed immediately. It was not like I have anywhere to go, them offering just makes my life easier. They blinked in surprise, seeing me agreeing so quickly.

"Don't your family-"

"I don't have a family anymore. They don't matter to me in this situation." They looked apologetic. I wonder what kind of face I've made for them to look so sorry for me...

"So, can I help with anything?" I changed the topic and made my voice livelier.

"Hmmm... what can you do?"

"Fight, bake, makeup, design clothes, sew clothes, seduce, household chores... hmm… can't think of anymore..." I rubbed my chin with my fingers.

"Leaving the seducing part aside... you can fight? How about sparring?" Hijikata grimace at the word seduce when I said it.

"Sure." Although I hated going to classes for self-defence and all those fighting classes example kendo and so on, I'm glad it has come in handy.

My opponent was Saito. He volunteered. I'm guessing he has some anger to vent from being called a statue... Let's just hope I don't die from sparing…

Please enjoy and review!

Edited: 26/5/2015